Emma, a special needs teacher and farmer, shared her inspiring story on an episode of “Daring Abroad” hosted by Alex Chamwada. The interview revealed her remarkable journey from being a Form Four dropout and househelp in Nairobi to becoming a landowner in Norway.
Emma’s early life was filled with challenges. Growing up in a single-parent household with her mother and seven siblings—three girls and four boys—she experienced economic hardships that shaped the course of her life. During the interview, Emma disclosed a heartbreaking reality: some of her sisters were married off at a young age because their mother could not afford to educate all the children. Emma herself had to abandon her education after completing Form Four due to financial constraints.
Determined to change her circumstances, Emma moved to Nairobi, where she sought opportunities in the bustling city. She secured work as a househelp, navigating the challenges of urban life. Amid her struggles, Emma found solace in an evangelical organization called Life Ministries, where she joined as a singer. This unexpected chapter in her life set the stage for a series of transformative events.
In 2000, Emma’s life took a significant turn when she traveled to Norway as part of a singing and evangelizing tour organized by Life Ministries. It was during this trip that she met Ole Christian, the man who would later become her husband. Their connection blossomed quickly, and just three weeks before her scheduled return to Kenya, they fell in love. “We fell in love with each other, and we got married a year after,” Ole Christian recalled, highlighting the intensity and spontaneity of their bond.
Their love story defied societal norms and expectations, uniting individuals from different cultural backgrounds, continents, and races. Despite initial resistance from Emma’s Kenyan pastor, who advised against marriage in Norway, the couple remained steadfast in their commitment. Ole Christian faced additional challenges, as their community in Rakkestad was unaccustomed to individuals from African backgrounds, let alone interracial marriages.
Demonstrating his dedication, Ole Christian traveled to Mbale to meet Emma’s family. In a heartfelt gesture of cultural respect, he paid a dowry of six cows, symbolizing the union of their two families across continents. Their unwavering determination broke barriers, fostering mutual respect and understanding between their diverse communities.
Together, Emma and Ole Christian built a life in Norway while maintaining strong ties to Emma’s roots in Kenya. They purchased a plot of land for Emma’s parents and constructed a house, a testament to their love and commitment to both families.
Today, Emma lives in Rakkestad with her husband and family, working as a special needs teacher and cultivating their land. Her extraordinary journey underscores the power of resilience, love, and the pursuit of dreams, proving that determination can triumph over even the most challenging circumstances.
